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Loud chirping noise that I cannot locate in the serpentine belt or a pulley

I have a 2001 Tundra SR5 with the V8 and 56K miles. I have an annoyingly loud chirping noise (like a squirrel cage) when I start my vehicle, and it does not go away until the vehicle has been fully warmed up, and perhaps been running for 30 minutes or so (although, now that the weather has turned cooler and more damp, it is still chirping after the engine has reached operating temp). It is worst in damp weather. Not as noticeable during the summer months when it was warm.

The truck is obviously out of warranty. I have not tried any type of belt dressing as I understand it will damage the serpentine belt.

I have heard of this problem on other Tundra's but not sure if the problem is the serpentine belt itself, or a pulley or tensioner. Has anyone experienced the same problem, and if so, what is the suggested repair?

Reply to
Bob Sackimono
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Please post if you find the answer. I have a friend with a Ford that does the same thing. The dealer gave up and now is saying it's normal and live with it. Ya, right.

Reply to
Eddie

THere is a TSB out on that, but I haven't done one in about a year, so I don't remember the specifics. What is boils down to is one or more pulleys being out of alignment with the path of the belt. If I remember correctly, it involves removing one or more pulleys (the idler pulley, I think, the one right next to the compressor) and installing several shims until everything is lined up. Replacing the belt was also part of it, I think. Take your VIN to a toyota dealer and they should be able to tell you if your truck is within range.

Reply to
qslim

Most likely is the accessory drive belt (serpentine belt). The belt is OK, just noisy. If the ribbed side is not missing chunks, and if the belt stretch indicator on the idler pulley isn't showing significant stretch, the belt is OK. The belt does chirp when cold. A new belt will be quiet. Many folks like Goodyear Gatorback belts. I have a Gates belt from NAPA that works very well. Belt dressing does no harm that I've seen, but does little good, also.

Ken

Reply to
Ken Shelton

One of the pulleys is misaligned/bent/warped. Can be a real bitch to track down. New belt every other year is about the easiest way to keep it from driving you nuts.

Reply to
pheasant

It turned about to be the serpentine belt that needed to be replaced. An approx. $150 repair (parts/labor), but anything is better than the ear-piercing squirrel cage that I have been listening to for some time now.

Reply to
Bob Sackimono

It can also be the precursor to a water pump going bad as happened to me last year.

Mike

Reply to
Mike McCollum

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